New Testament
Luke 1:35
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In this verse, the angel Gabriel explains to Mary how she will conceive Jesus.
- Author
- Luke the physician
- Written
- Around AD 60-62
- Genre
- Gospel and history
- Original Audience
- Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, that holy one to be born will be called the Son of God."
And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, the angel Gabriel explains to Mary how she will conceive Jesus. The Holy Spirit will come upon her, indicating a divine intervention that will enable her to give birth to the Son of God. The phrase 'the power of the Most High will overshadow you' suggests that God's presence will envelop her, making this miraculous birth possible. This moment is significant as it marks the incarnation of Jesus, who is referred to as 'that holy one.' The angel reassures Mary that this child will be uniquely divine, emphasizing His identity as the Son of God. This passage highlights the miraculous nature of Jesus' birth and the role of the Holy Spirit in God's plan for salvation. It also underscores the importance of faith and obedience, as Mary accepts this incredible news with trust in God's purpose for her life.
Related Bible verses
How to apply Luke 1:35 to your life
This verse encourages us to trust in God's plans, even when they seem impossible. Just as Mary accepted her role with faith, we too can embrace our unique callings, knowing that God equips us through His Spirit to fulfill His purposes in our lives.
Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Luke 1:35 mean?
Luke 1:35 explains how Mary will conceive Jesus through the Holy Spirit's divine intervention. The verse emphasizes that this miraculous birth is made possible by God's power, highlighting the unique identity of Jesus as the Son of God.
What is the significance of the Holy Spirit in Luke 1:35?
In Luke 1:35, the Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the conception of Jesus, indicating that His birth is a divine act rather than a natural occurrence. This highlights the miraculous nature of Jesus' incarnation and God's direct involvement in human history.
What does 'the power of the Most High will overshadow you' mean?
The phrase 'the power of the Most High will overshadow you' in Luke 1:35 suggests that God's presence will envelop Mary, enabling her to conceive Jesus. It signifies divine protection and intervention in the miraculous event of Jesus' birth.
How does Luke 1:35 relate to faith and obedience?
Luke 1:35 illustrates the importance of faith and obedience through Mary's acceptance of the angel's message. Her willingness to trust in God's plan serves as an example for believers to embrace their own callings with faith.

The Book of Luke
Luke 1: The Births of John the Baptist and Jesus Foretold
In the days of Herod, king of Judaea, a priest named Zacharias serves in the temple. He and his wife Elisabeth are both righteous but have no children because Elisabeth is barren, and they are both old. While Zacharias burns incense, the angel Gabriel appears to him and says Elisabeth will bear a son who is to be named John. The child will be great before the Lord, will drink no wine or strong drink, and will be filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb. He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. Zacharias asks how he can know this, since he and his wife are old. Gabriel says Zacharias will be unable to speak until these things come to pass because he did not believe.
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